Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday to discuss easing Centre-KP tensions between the federal and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governments, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
During the call, the prime minister congratulated Fazl on performing Umrah and invited him to the Prime Minister’s House for a meeting. The JUI-F chief accepted the invitation, and the meeting is expected to take place soon, according to the PMO.
“Fazl also spoke to the prime minister about reducing tensions between the federal government and the K-P government,” the PMO statement added.
JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said the two leaders reviewed the current political situation and the strain between Islamabad and Peshawar. He added that Fazl had stayed in regular contact with the PTI leadership and taken it into confidence to ease political tensions.
Fazl emerges as possible mediator in Centre-KP tensions
The contact came as Fazl has emerged as a possible intermediary between the government and the opposition. PTI K-P President Junaid Akbar said the party had authorised the JUI-F chief to mediate, while PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan called for unconditional dialogue and urged both sides to find a way forward.
This is not the first time Fazl has been pulled into the centre of a political deadlock. Earlier this week, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also called on the JUI-F chief as efforts to end the PTI-government standoff continued, a development covered in our report on Fazl’s earlier mediation offer.
The latest outreach followed two rounds of negotiations between the government and the opposition that ended without agreement. The two sides remained divided over PTI’s demand for access to its jailed founder, Imran Khan, and over the K-P government’s role in shaping counterterrorism policy. PTI has pressed for a joint strategy involving both the federal and provincial governments, while the government has maintained that cooperation from the provincial administration is essential.
The row has sharpened in recent days: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s remarks on governance in K-P and possible emergency measures deepened the standoff (earlier story), while Rana Sanaullah tied governor’s-rule talk to counterterrorism cooperation (his statement).
Muqam and Kundi meet in Peshawar
Separately, Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam and K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi met at the Governor House in Peshawar on Saturday, Radio Pakistan reported.
The two leaders discussed the province’s overall law and order situation, the ongoing long march and other political matters. Expressing gratitude to the people of K-P, both said the public had rejected what they called “the politics of chaos.”
A joint statement issued after the meeting affirmed that the federal government would take all possible measures to ensure peace and promote public welfare and development in the province.
Long march continues toward Swabi
The call came as the PTI’s long march was scheduled to travel from Charsadda to Mardan on Saturday.
The march began on October 4 after early talks failed. On Thursday an Afridi-led convoy entered Peshawar on the protest’s fifth day. PTI has said it will announce its next step after reaching Swabi.
Meanwhile, the standoff has fuelled speculation about possible emergency measures and changes to K-P’s administrative structure. Reports citing sources have suggested that a proposal to establish a separate administrative arrangement for 12 districts is under consideration, and that the federal government is weighing options including governor’s rule and an emergency. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has described governor’s rule as a “last option”, as reported in his remarks earlier this week, while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has also called it a last resort.
What happens next
The expected Shehbaz-Fazl meeting will be closely watched. If the JUI-F chief can carry messages between the two sides, it could reopen a channel that two failed rounds of talks could not.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Shehbaz Sharif call Fazlur Rehman?
To discuss easing Centre-KP tensions, congratulate Fazl on performing Umrah, and invite him to a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, which Fazl accepted.
Is Fazlur Rehman mediating between the government and PTI?
He is emerging as a possible intermediary: PTI’s K-P president says the party authorised him to mediate, though no formal role has been announced.
Where is the PTI long march now?
It was scheduled to travel from Charsadda to Mardan on Saturday, October 10, after starting on October 4. PTI will announce its next step after reaching Swabi.
What caused the Centre-KP tensions?
A standoff between the federal government and the PTI-led K-P government over counterterrorism policy, Imran Khan’s jailing, the long march, and speculation about emergency measures or governor’s rule.
*Original reporting: The Express Tribune*
